I have been most lucky to meet the loveliest of people while on tours
or through helping to plan their vacations.
Here are a few things they have said about our time together:
I want to thank you also for the fabulous trip you put together for us. It was a trip of a lifetime. Your attention to details and the pace you arranged for us was perfect. So many highlights along the way, I can't begin to pick a favorite when asked. The drivers, guides, restaurants, hotels and tours were wonderful but YOU delivered the trip. Your knowledge and passion for all things Italy took us places we never could have discovered and enjoyed on our own. It was such a joy having you with us.
~Cindy F.
For our first trip to Italy, we wanted to make sure that the trip and experience was perfect. The 6 of us who went on the trip used Irene (Bella Giornata Tours) for this trip. It could not have gone any better. Irene spent a significant amount of time up front making sure she knew what we wanted to see and do on this 14 day trip. She took input from all 6 of us and put together a trip of a life time. From the cities we visited, to the hotels we stayed in, to the meals we ate all met or exceeded our expectations.
I could not recommend her any higher. If we choose to return to another part of Italy we will definitely use her again.
~Dean G.
I will start by saying that the days you organized were by far the best days of our trip and probably amongst any vacation we have done to date. So kudos, everyone is raving about the trip. All in all, one of the best trips we have taken, thank you for everything.
~Matt S.
Our trip was magnificent! Thanks to your organization and attention to detail, all we had to think about was having a great time and taking it all in!! All of your drivers and guides were totally on top of things and made for not only a fun experience but also an educational one. We also greatly enjoyed our time spent with you. Keep in touch! Would love to see you in NY!
~Dave and Liz F.
Drew and I have nothing but raving things to say about the whole experience that you put together; no detail was spared. All of the people that you have working relationships with are amazing and we were treated like family. The recommendations and reservations that you made were at places with some of the best food we have ever had. My only wish was that we had you plan more of our time in Italy.
~Jason & Drew D.
We all had a wonderful trip and are so grateful to you for the amazing organization of a seamless, breathtaking and fun adventure. To top it all off, we so enjoyed YOU and your happy presence and interesting insights. Thank you also for the great photos. We have such an abundance and yet each one is special in that it captures another memory. Also, thank you for introducing us to such lovely local people. Each one of them was a delight in their enthusiasm and friendliness. They all felt like a neighbor next door. We thank you so much for such a memorable experience!
~Maureen D.
In all sincerity, the experiences we had surpassed all my expectations. It's really hard to pick just one experience that was my favorite- they ALL were. Most importantly, I really enjoyed finally meeting you and making a new friend. Thank you for all the thought and time you put into planning our trip and for all you did while we were in Italy to make it so special. It was the best vacation I have ever taken. The experiences, the hotels, the restaurants, the people we met.....all fantastic!
~Terri D.
Joe and I just want to say how thankful and grateful we are to you for planning such an incredible honeymoon. It was truly marvelous in every aspect. Fabio was wonderful and kind in Roma. All of the drivers were exceptionally kind and thoughtful. We even had a chance to try our very first Margherita pizza from Napoli thanks to one of Giovanni's drivers who wanted to give us a "honeymoon gift" before we got on the train to Roma. A spectacular 13 days. Thank you so very much. We will most definitely be passing your name on to friends and family!!
~Joe and Leanne
Just a quick note to say thank you for orchestrating the most incredible time ever! My husband and I really appreciated the attention to detail that you had and felt like the entire itinerary was exactly what we wanted and in the end we both felt we would not change a thing- it was absolutely perfect! Look forward to working together again soon!!
~Mindi and Doug
So we are home and our "magical adventure" is over. How can we ever thank you for the wonderful experience that we had and the amazing people that we met. Irene, you are a genius. You designed perfect experiences for us, so carefully matching members of your team to our unique needs. From the tours of artisan studios; to locating us in interesting hotels (ah the villa!); to selecting guides who presented each tour with knowledge and humor; to your driver who was a walking encyclopedia of Italy; to your kind and generous spirit infecting us with your love of Italy. It was 10 days that we will never forget. Please extend to your colleagues our sincere and eternal gratitude, and to you "thank you" seems so inadequate, but it is all that we can say. We are ever grateful for your friendship. With love,
~Diane & Bill
"Irene, I'm not sure thank you is sufficient enough. Your helpfulness and planning allowed us an extraordinary day in Florence and then wine country in Tuscany. A personal guide in Florence allowed us to pack in many sites, so we could meet our wonderful driver and head out for lunch and wine tasting. Having a small, intimate lunch at a wonderful farm and winery with the owner was more than we could have asked for. We look forward to working with you again when we plan our next trip to Italy."
~Martha K.
"You were truly spot on with every single detail. I hope your phone is ringing off the wall, because I have been telling everyone about Bella Giornata Tours, non stop. The only way I would consider returning to Italy is with you by our side. So, we may be talking soon, as the southern region is looking very inviting! Something truly fabulous took place on our 14 day journey. So much so, that while we have been back for 4 weeks now, I still feel as though I am locked into that relaxed and joyful vacation mode."
~Joe and Evelyn B.
"I am so grateful I got to go on this trip, and that you were the one to take me. When someone shares their passion,…gives it to others, those people are truly blessed. That is what I consider myself, truly blessed and so lucky our paths have crossed! I could go on and on...it was a FABULOUS trip. I have already told all my friends that you are the one to call, if and when they decide to plan a trip to Italy."
~Jeanne B.
“Irene, Jack and I want to thank you for a fabulous tour and experience in and around Rome, Italy. Your attention to detail, right down to the welcome notes in our hotel was really appreciated. Your connection to drivers, tour guides and restaurants was unbelievable; we would have never found these places on our own and we really felt safe and secure in your care. Your passion to your job is wonderful!!!”
~Jack and Deb T.
“You know that friend you wished you had in Italy? The friend that knows tons of the little side places as well as the famous attractions that everyone wants to see? The friend that handles all the little details that would push the casual traveler beyond their comfort level? The friend who knows the ins and outs of using the transit system? The friend that will grab you by the arm during a stroll and say, ‘we really should duck in here for a coffee?' You have that friend, and her name is Irene Quinn! We had a trip that will be remembered and cherished for a lifetime. What an introduction to Italy!!! We can’t wait to go back.”
~Bruce and Janet D
“Irene has lived in Italy and has firsthand knowledge of not only the culture but the food, the wine and some of the best shopping. When traveling into the wine country I felt I had to keep pinching myself to believe this experience was not just a dream. We had so much fun taking a cooking class at one of the vineyards; learning how to make pasta from scratch, which I have come home to teach to my grandchildren. One of my favorite stops was at a pottery place in a small town where we were fortunate to have a personal tour given by a member of the family operated business. The country hotels where you open your shutters to look over a beautiful countryside or a cobbled street below is something I will never forget. If you ever have the chance to book a tour with Irene Quinn, please do. You will never regret that decision. Thank you Irene, for the great memories."
~Jan H.
"We can’t thank you enough for the recommendations in Rome. We loved the neighborhood you suggested and felt fortunate to absorb the quaint atmosphere it offered as we strolled through the cobbled streets. The magnificent view of the Coliseum at night, located just down the street, was breathtaking. Our dinner at the local trattoria was everything you said it would be; fresh, delicious and reasonably priced. We loved eating with the locals and then being able to stroll back to the hotel, with a stop at the neighborhood gelato shop, of course! Your recommendations helped ease the stress of ‘where do we want to eat’ and ‘what do we want to see’ in the short time we stayed in Rome. We loved them all and talk you up to each and every friend we tell about our vacation. "
~Beth and Steve H.
"There is something called ‘local knowledge’ that can save you from missing out on your next or first trip to Italy. You can sit back and let a professional plan your trip. Irene will take you places you would never see on you own. The best thing about touring with her is the tour can be designed just for you. If you want to go shopping in the local market for cheeses and salami and picnic in a park you just need to tell her and it can be arranged. She will take everyone’s wishes into consideration and plan the trip accordingly. My husband and I have traveled with Irene. Her local knowledge was priceless and she made our trip one we will not forget."
~Jim and Carole W.
"Dale and I loved our time in Italy thanks to your expertise and guidance. You do know how to pick the restaurants! The food and wine was everything we had heard it was. Our trip was so much more than we had even dreamed it would be. We feel we could go to Rome now and jump on any subway or bus and find our way around. It's a beautiful city and I am sure we will get back someday. There are many times we have tried to see big cities without a tour, and we end up just walking around and not really appreciating what is there – you not only took us to places we would never have thought of going to, but you also helped us plan our free time to make sure we didn't miss anything!! We all get busy, and it is sometimes hard to find the time to travel – but we really want to return to Italy, and can't imagine a better way to return than on one of your tours. Thank you again!!!!"
~Dale and Linda M.
~Jack and Deb T.
“You know that friend you wished you had in Italy? The friend that knows tons of the little side places as well as the famous attractions that everyone wants to see? The friend that handles all the little details that would push the casual traveler beyond their comfort level? The friend who knows the ins and outs of using the transit system? The friend that will grab you by the arm during a stroll and say, ‘we really should duck in here for a coffee?' You have that friend, and her name is Irene Quinn! We had a trip that will be remembered and cherished for a lifetime. What an introduction to Italy!!! We can’t wait to go back.”
~Bruce and Janet D
“Irene has lived in Italy and has firsthand knowledge of not only the culture but the food, the wine and some of the best shopping. When traveling into the wine country I felt I had to keep pinching myself to believe this experience was not just a dream. We had so much fun taking a cooking class at one of the vineyards; learning how to make pasta from scratch, which I have come home to teach to my grandchildren. One of my favorite stops was at a pottery place in a small town where we were fortunate to have a personal tour given by a member of the family operated business. The country hotels where you open your shutters to look over a beautiful countryside or a cobbled street below is something I will never forget. If you ever have the chance to book a tour with Irene Quinn, please do. You will never regret that decision. Thank you Irene, for the great memories."
~Jan H.
"We can’t thank you enough for the recommendations in Rome. We loved the neighborhood you suggested and felt fortunate to absorb the quaint atmosphere it offered as we strolled through the cobbled streets. The magnificent view of the Coliseum at night, located just down the street, was breathtaking. Our dinner at the local trattoria was everything you said it would be; fresh, delicious and reasonably priced. We loved eating with the locals and then being able to stroll back to the hotel, with a stop at the neighborhood gelato shop, of course! Your recommendations helped ease the stress of ‘where do we want to eat’ and ‘what do we want to see’ in the short time we stayed in Rome. We loved them all and talk you up to each and every friend we tell about our vacation. "
~Beth and Steve H.
"There is something called ‘local knowledge’ that can save you from missing out on your next or first trip to Italy. You can sit back and let a professional plan your trip. Irene will take you places you would never see on you own. The best thing about touring with her is the tour can be designed just for you. If you want to go shopping in the local market for cheeses and salami and picnic in a park you just need to tell her and it can be arranged. She will take everyone’s wishes into consideration and plan the trip accordingly. My husband and I have traveled with Irene. Her local knowledge was priceless and she made our trip one we will not forget."
~Jim and Carole W.
"Dale and I loved our time in Italy thanks to your expertise and guidance. You do know how to pick the restaurants! The food and wine was everything we had heard it was. Our trip was so much more than we had even dreamed it would be. We feel we could go to Rome now and jump on any subway or bus and find our way around. It's a beautiful city and I am sure we will get back someday. There are many times we have tried to see big cities without a tour, and we end up just walking around and not really appreciating what is there – you not only took us to places we would never have thought of going to, but you also helped us plan our free time to make sure we didn't miss anything!! We all get busy, and it is sometimes hard to find the time to travel – but we really want to return to Italy, and can't imagine a better way to return than on one of your tours. Thank you again!!!!"
~Dale and Linda M.